Prof Devel Part 3 How to Choose a Residency Prgm (1)

7/30/2019 Prof Devel Part 3 How to Choose a Residency Prgm (1)

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Professional Development Series:Part 3

How to Choose and Apply fora Residency Program

Chariny Herring, DO

February 21, 2011


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When to make the big decision


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Unraveling the Mysteries of the Residency

Application Process


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Allopathic vs. Osteopathic

Allopathic spots are more plentiful, but can be morecompetitive. Check the % of osteopaths at allopathic

residency programs

States with both DO/MD schools have more mixed

residencies

If going allopathic, check for osteopathic compatibility

o What are the internship requirements to meet AOA

guidelines?

o Not meeting AOA requirements means you wont be able to

sit for osteopathic specialty boards and you will get no CME

credit for taking allopathic boards

o http://www.aacom.org/InfoFor/students/careeradvice/Pages

/default.aspx


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ACGME vs OGME Boards:

Step 1, 2, 3

1) Both?

2) OGME usually sufficient unless applying for

a highly competitive allopathic residency


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Narrowing the List of Options

Dont waste time or money!!!

Self check for competitiveness


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1. Grades in required clerkships

2. Step 1 board scores

3. Grades in senior electives in specialty

4. Number of honors in clerkships

5. Step 2 board score

6. Step 2 CS pass

7. Class rank


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8. Membership in Alpha Omega Alpha

9. Medical school reputation

10. Medical school academic awards

11. Grades in other senior electives

12. Grades in pre-clinical courses

13. Published medical school research

14. Research experience while in medical schoolGreen, Thomas and Jones AAMC 2008

http://www.aamc.org/members/gsa/sessionnine621jones.pdf
http://www.aamc.org/members/gsa/sessionnine621jones.pdfhttp://www.aamc.org/members/gsa/sessionnine621jones.pdf


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Pre-Interview List

1. Accreditation data/ranking Probation? ACGME for MD or OGME for DO

2. # of Residents in the program/unfilled slots/drop

out rate 3. Compliance with TOAD regulations

4. # of affiliated hospitals

5. Sites for rotating internship 6. Hospital/Clinic financial information/ budget cuts

or closings

7. Elective time/flexibility


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Pre-Interview

8. SUPERVISION!!!!

9. Forecast of upcoming changes

10. Available associated fellowships/ % ofresidents going into fellowships

11. Specialty Board Support and Prep and Pass

Rates

12. Resident support/well being resources

13. Resident Satisfaction

14. %FMG


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Pre-Interview

15. Resident representation at the faculty

level/Elected chief

16. Teaching commitment/availability of the

faculty/Quality of conferences

17. Availability of the Program Director

18. Pt load per resident

19. Call frequency

20. Support staff and facilities (including UTD

technological abilities)


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Pre-Interview

21. Salary

22. Moonlighting Opportunities

23. Benefits: Insurance (health &malpractice), pager, food, vacation,

educational leave

24. What is the official process for filing a

complaint or affecting change?

25. Program strengths and weaknesses


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Application

Standard Application vs. Specific Application:

Standard APP is via ERAS for both MD and DO

Specific will be generated by the individual residency program

Typos/grammar

Professional picture:

Can use the one from school or email one to Angela Bacon

Has to be in an electronic format


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Do I need a new photograph?

Photographs


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Photographs

First Year


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Photographs

Before

After


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Application Letters of Reference:

1 from department chair

3 from chosen specialty docs

Do not send letters from academic professors, friends, relatives, or ministers

Can waive or retain rights to see letters/all letters reviewed and screened and

uploaded by A. Bacon.

MSPE/Medical School Performance Eval:(formerly know as the Deans Letter)

Eval of yrs 1,2,3

Quotes from site evaluations

Class Rank

In April, you will get and email with instructions on what you need to do/Can

meet with Dr. Stewart if special circumstances

June is the deadline

Will be given the chance to review it

Uploaded to ERAS in October


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Personal Reference LetterDear Program Director:

It is my pleasure to provide this letter of recommendation for Applicant A. She is currently a

senior medical student at the University of ____________ and is expected to receive her DOdegree in June 2005. I worked with Applicant A while she was serving as an acting intern in

my surgical service.

Applicant A entered medical school with a background in research and the pharmaceutical

industry. Her added maturity has served her well in developing the skills necessary to

become a physician. As such her academic performance is not reflective of her clinical

abilities. Her attention to detail and concern for her patients well being is notable. She is a

true team player who is well liked by peers, faculty, and patients.

As a senior, she successfully completed the departmental honors program in surgery. This

program is an intensive eight week experience in the fundamentals of surgical science

designed specifically for students who will be competing for surgical residencies. She

functioned as an acting intern in the surgical ICU and consistently provided compassionate

and thorough patient care. Her patient presentations were well-organized and concise. She

was a model of professionalism.I believe that Applicant A is dedicated to a career in surgery, and will work diligently toward

this goal. I sincerely recommend her to you for consideration. Please feel free to contact me

should you need further information.

Associate Professor of Surgery Good LetterChief, General Surgery

Associate Program Director


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Personal Reference LetterDear Program Director:

I have known Applicant C since his fourth year rotation on my GeneralSurgery Service. During his rotation I found him to be an outstandingstudent. He was always well read regarding the patients who wereunder his care. He treated all individuals, both hospital personnel andpatients with the utmost respect. His work was always top notchbecause of his rapport with the patients and his meticulous and

thorough examinations and notes. Applicant Cs previous experiencein the _________ University Student Senate has prepared him withmaturity and a solid foundation of teamwork.

It is without hesitation that I highly recommend Applicant C for a positionin your residence program. He is a solid candidate in all frontiers. He is

personable, intelligent, hardworking, conscience and dependable.

Associate Professor of Surgery

Director, General Surgery Residency Good Letter


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Personal Reference Letter

Dear Program Director:

I have been asked to write a letter in support for Applicant B. I metApplicant B this year when he rotated on our family practice serviceas a subintern.

Applicant B is a kind and caring student. While on the service he followed

several patients and participated adequately. I would categorize himas a good student and given the right environment he will really shine.

As you can see from his personal statement, he is passionate aboutmedicine. He has had some unique experiences and his family isproud of his accomplishments. I have had time to discuss his plans

and he is committed to a career in family practice.

In summary, I recommend Applicant B for your training program.

Associate Professor of Family Practice Average Letter


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Application

Curriculum Vitae /CV

Name

Contact Info

Education: Medical, Graduate, College, High

School (school name, yr of grad, GPA and rank)

Honors/Awards


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Application

CV:

Publications/research

Employment/Military

Organizations/Clubs

Hobbies/Interests/Languages

Personal data (marital status, children)

References

CV workshop given in May by A. Bacon


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Personal Statement

1 page or less Provides a window into your personality

Can also be used to rule out people who are

not well spoken or have no tact Balance between bragging and humility

Talk about accomplishments and abilities

Reference inspiration by a mentor Personal story that led you to a career in medicine

Discuss future plans (keep in mind program type

to which you are applying)


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How to for the Red Flags in

Resident Applications


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RED FLAGS

Reference Letters No letter from the Chairman or PD.

Letters from physicians in other specialties.

Less than three letters of reference.

Very short reference letter no real content, especiallyfrom the chairman.

Chairmans letter states you should call for additionalinformation.

Concerning comments: Given the right environment,this student will do well

I have been asked to write this letter of reference vs.I am delighted to provide a reference


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RED FLAGS

Deans Letter

No explanation of gaps in medical school.

Failed clerkships or lots of Bs and Cs.

Failed Board Exams

Last paragraph for final Deans recommendationis vague or weak or doesnt match other

recommendations/comments.


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RED FLAGS

CV

Large list of volunteer activities, of which all or most

are self serving.

Multiple research projects and no publications. Disconnect between board scores and clerkship

grades.

Consistent spelling errors in the application.

A parent calls regarding their childs application.


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Preparing for the Interviews

Create a folder for each program for which you have

applied

Photocopy EVERYTHING you send out!

Send each program a self addressed, stampedpostcard which they can return upon receipt of your

materials

Create a master list with deadlines, interview date, etc

Collect data on the program and place it in the folder

Review the folder prior to each interview

Use the Application Data tracking Service (ADTS) within the ERAS


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Use the Application Data tracking Service (ADTS) within the ERAS

program to confirm which programs have received your

documents

Program

Name

Deadline to

Submit App

Items Sent Date Sent Postcard

Received

Interview

Date

Tulane Jan 1 App, letters:

1/3, cv, pic,

ps

Nov 23 Pending pending

Harvard Dec 1 App, letters:2/4, cv, pic,

ps

Oct 1 Nov 20 Jan 15


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Set up a mock interview Prepare to answer the following questions:

1. What will you do if you do not match at our

facility?

Dont want to give up easily, but be prepared with a back

up plan

2. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 yrs?Rural vs urban, large vs small, research, teaching, private

practice, interest in subspecialization, avoid rigidity!


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3. Why did you apply to our program?

Show that you have done your research: give

examples of what has impressed you about the

program such as program reputation, residentsatisfaction, faculty members, research projects you

have heard about, board pass rates, etc.


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4. What are your strengths and weaknesses?Interviewer is looking for tact, confidence,

humility, optimism, or pessimism. Avoid

extremes, try to keep it positive, do not brag,give specific examples of strengths. Important

strengths are: empathy, devotion, consistency,

being a team player

Pick an acceptable flaw:

I am intense at times or I tend to strive for

perfection


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5. Why did you choose this specialty?

A rotation experience, a mentor, a special skill,

be enthusiastic!

6. What is the most

interesting/outstanding/significant thing you

have done?

6.What do you do with your free time?


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8. Discuss a memorable patient.

9. Did you have any problems in one or more

areas?

Discuss short comings honestly. If extenuating

circumstances exist, state them concisely and then

move on without belaboring the point. End on an

up note. May try to offset academic problemwith better performance in other areas such as

patient care.


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10.Describe an instance in which you had to

work with someone who was considered

difficult.

11. What do you think about the future of

medicine?

Good time to discuss altruistic motives

Journal citations

12. How do you perform under pressure?

Give a specific example


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13. Discuss your research.

14. Have you ever been terminated from a

position?

They are looking for the why and how you

reacted.

15. Where else are you applying?

Ok to list places and mention their strengths

briefly.


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Inappropriate Questions:

What is your sexual orientation?

Are you going to select this program if we rank you

high?

Are you physically healthy?

Do you have any psychiatric problems?

Any plans for marriage/pregnancy?

Best answer: May I know why you ask that?

P i f th I t i


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Read a current book (can be thin, but meaningful) ie:

Who Moved my Cheese? Spencer Johnson

Go to the medical library and scan the last few mos of

articles from the specialty journal or email the

professional organization and ask for the top 5 areas ofattn/interest in that subject in the last 6 mos

Dont forget to be courteous to support staff

Beta Blockers

Prep 2 -3 questions for the interviewer:

What are the strengths and weaknesses of your program

Are you aware of any upcoming major changes to the program?


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Buy one nice, comfortable yet formal outfit. Newershoes (not blister new!), polish shoes, use conservative

accessories and make-up, clean nails, trimmed facial

hair

Choose a brief case or executive bag

Survivor Kit: program folder, list of questions, extra

copies of resume and app materials, Kleenex,

deodorant, disposable dental care, small mirror, snack,

small water bottle, breath mints, pens, notepad,

cash/change, ID, phone (set to silent), any necessary

personal items (female items or rx meds), prn meds

such as Tylenol, Tums, band aids


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Interview Follow-Ups

Send a thank you note

Try to include something personal or

memorable about the interview, visit, tour

Can include a picture as a reminder


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Career Advisor

Angela Bacon, [email protected]

Provide CA with CV, personal statement, transcript

Review your permanent record

Stay in touch with CA to discuss: choices of programs

info on previous students experiences

activities/suggestions to strengthen application

number of applications/interviews interview etiquette

ranking strategies


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Credits:

Staying Human During Residency, 4th Ed

Allan D. Peterkin, MD

The Residency Handbook

Lyle D. Victor, MD

Documents

Prof Devel Part 3 How to Choose a Residency Prgm (1)